Album review: Tetrarch – Unstable

Los Angeles quartet Tetrarch are one of metal’s hottest new properties. The release of the single I’m Not Right in 2020 brought with it a sizeable amount of hype, with significant radio play in the U.S. and streaming numbers stretching into the millions. Unstable, the band’s second full-length, reflects its creators’ newcomer status, displaying some frustrating inconsistency, but also an intense and at times rather enterprising approach to modern metal.

That breakthrough single opens proceedings rather grimly, with frontman Josh Fore’s solemn vocal declaration – ‘Looking in the mirror and I hate myself’ – giving way to a strong, radio-ready nu-metalcore chorus. It’s good, but Pushed Down – this album’s best song – is even better. It’s got aggression and groove in equal measure, and is proof that Tetrarch have it in them to be a brilliant metal band that deliver undeniable anthems.

Huge-sounding moments of that ilk are frustratingly lacking elsewhere on Unstable, though, with many of the tracks offered up here, like Addicted and Negative Noise, straying into competent yet not altogether memorable territory. The saving grace comes by way of lead guitarist Diamond Rowe, who elevates many of the tunes with some superb solos and soaring melodies, with the playing on Sick Of You and, in particular, Trust Me demonstrating the raw talent that lies within the band.

The cumulative result of these peaks and valleys is a record that showcases a band still early on in their sonic development. But rather than the sound of instability, the main takeaway is a promise that, with a little fine tuning and experience under their belts, great things may just come Tetrarch’s way.

Verdict: 3/5

For Fans Of: Death Blooms, GHOSTKID, As Everything Unfolds

Unstable is released on April 30 via Napalm.

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